New York: House history seminar starts February 2

House history - the genealogy of houses or buildings - is another aspect of family history research. How can you learn to research the buildings in which your ancestors lived or worked?

Readers who attended the 2006 IAJGS conference in New York will remember architectural historian Tony Robins' excellent presentation on researching the city's tenements.

Those who live in or near New York City have an opportunity to attend Robin's four-session seminar and a field trip at the Municipal Art Society: "An Introduction to Researching the History of Buildings in New York City."

He's been leading these seminars for some two decades. It runs from 5.45-7.30pm, Wednesday, February 2, with subsequent sessions set for February 9, 16, 23 and a daytime field trip (to be scheduled) to the Manhattan Department of Buildings, New York City Conveyance Records, the Municipal Archives and the Municipal Reference Library. Fee: MAS members/students, $200; others, $250.

Robins' positions make him well-qualified to teach what he has spent his professional life doing: the protection of New York City's landmarks and education about the city's history and architecture. He's prepared dozens of National Register nominations.

His books include "Classics of American Architecture: The World Trade Center" (1987) , "Subway Style" (2004), and is currently writing a New York Art Deco architecture guidebook. His websites include NYC Tours and Lectures and Urban Genealogy.

In addition to being a Columbia University and New York University adjunct professor, he is co-owner and director of Preservation Services and Educational Programming at Thompson & Columbus, Inc., teaches at the Municipal Art Society of New York, and is the former vice-president and current advisory committee member of the Art Deco Society.

Reservations required. For more information on the February seminar, click here.